The great churchman we forgot
He had done his novitiate as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate here in the early 1930s, spent some weeks here as a young bishop raising funds for his mission schools in 1950 and frequently came to Ireland in subsequent years, especially to visit the families of his father, also Denis, and mother, Theresa O’Sullivan, in Skibbereen.
But he was even better known and admired here for his outspoken leadership of the South African Catholic bishops against apartheid, and for the progressive role he played at the Second Vatican Council.
It always seemed strange to me that Denis Hurley, who had received honorary doctorates from 10 universities (American, Canadian, Belgian and South African) had been honoured by three governments (French, Italian and South African) and had received the freedom of two cities (Durban and Pietermaritzburg) received no such honour from Ireland. Let me stress he was not the sort of person who pursued such honours; quite the contrary.
A few years ago, I approached the Irish embassy in Pretoria, suggesting that Cork might consider making Hurley a freeman. They made some enquiries, but ultimately nothing came of it. I was puzzled by the lack of enthusiasm.
It was a bittersweet experience to hear, after his death, that UCC had been planning to give him an honorary degree later this year.
I wrote to ask whether it might give him the degree posthumously, as some South African universities do in special cases. The reply was that no such degrees are conferred by the NUI.
Worse was to follow: I was informed that there is, in fact, no record of any decision to confer an honorary degree on Archbishop Hurley. It seems hardly necessary to add how profoundly puzzled and disappointed I am. Is no-one in Ireland interested in honouring this great champion of human rights?
Paddy Kearney,
15, Vindol,
29, Ebor Ave.,
Bulwer,
Durban 4001,
South Africa.
